Thunder Bay event centre plans get good reviews at open house

More than 150 people attended an open house where the designs for Thunder Bay’s proposed event centre were unveiled.

The seventh open house regarding the proposed centre was held at the Italian Cultural Centre and showcased detailed drawings of the plans.

The new designs have several changes: a transit terminal is no longer included, there is no parking garage and the pedestrian overpass above Water Street has been cancelled.

However, despite the changes, many who turned up at the event liked the plans they saw.

"I think Thunder Bay is a place to thrive and prosper and to enjoy, not just to survive in,” said Thunder Bay resident Adrian Digiuseppe.

John Murray recently moved back to the city and thinks the presence of the event centre will help his new business too.

"The event centre would impact all the businesses in the north core,” Murray said. “So, it's hard to sort of gauge to what degree, but think it would definitely have an influence."

The building was created by Toronto-based BBB Architects with a goal of reflecting the building’s multi-use purpose.